February 15, 2025
Sammy Sosa is receiving a warm welcome for his reconciliation with the Chicago Cubs

Sammy Sosa is receiving a warm welcome for his reconciliation with the Chicago Cubs

Syndicated: USA TODAY

Syndicated: USA TODAY

CHICAGO – Sammy Sosa jogged onto the stage with an American flag. The crowd cheered wildly.

It was just like old times – only Sosa was wearing a suit and the scene took place in a downtown hotel ballroom instead of Wrigley Field.

Sosa and the Chicago Cubs are back together after the slugger returned to the team’s annual fan convention on Friday. The Cubs also announced that Sosa will be inducted into the franchise’s Hall of Fame this year along with former first baseman Derrek Lee.

The reconciliation began when Sosa released a vaguely worded statement last month apologizing for unspecified mistakes. Sosa faced questions about using performance-enhancing drugs, but said that was not the reason for his statement.

“NO. I’m referring to 21 years, for example,” said Sosa, who played his final season with the Cubs in 2004. “I had fans who loved me very much. I had to apologize to them because they usually see me so much Play for years.”

While Sosa, 56, declined to provide details about his apology, it didn’t seem to matter at all to Cubs fans – who had been clamoring for a reunion for years – or the organization, which prepared a warm welcome after being ignored the seven-time All-Star for decades.

There was a standing ovation when Sosa was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame class, and the cheers increased when he appeared on the stage with the flag – a reminder of how he went to right field in the Cubs’ first home game afterward ran the attacks of September 11, 2001.

There was another big ovation when Sosa took the stage again toward the end of the convention’s opening ceremony, this time wearing his old Cubs’ No. 21 jersey.

“I think today was a perfect day,” Sosa said.

Sosa rose to prominence with the Cubs after being acquired for George Bell in a deal with the crosstown White Sox in March 1992. Nicknamed Slammin’ Sammy, he hit a franchise record 545 home runs and drove in 1,414 runs in 13 years on the North Side.

Sosa became a national figure when he delivered a memorable home run duel with Mark McGwire during the 1998 season. Sosa went deep 66 times and won the NL MVP award, and McGwire finished the game with 70 home runs, breaking baseball’s single-season record at the time.

But Sosa’s connection to the Cubs was damaged by allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs and questions about his behavior. He was traded to Baltimore after showing up late and leaving early for the 2004 finale at Wrigley Field.

During congressional testimony in 2005, Sosa denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

“I had the chance to play with Sammy my first year here and he was always good to me,” Lee said. “You know, he taught me a lot about hitting. One of the hardest workers you will ever see. Came to play every day.

“He admitted mistakes, apologized for them and moved on. We have all made mistakes and we all want forgiveness. So it’s time to move on. It’s been a long time.”

Sosa finished his big league career with a .273 batting average and 609 home runs – currently ninth on the career list. He also had 1,667 RBIs and 234 stolen bases in 18 seasons from 1989 to 2007.

Sosa fell well short of being elected to the Hall of Fame in 2022 in his tenth and final appearance on the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot. His next chance to be considered would be if he is on the ballot for the Contemporary Players Committee, which meets next December.

“I think Sammy was a part of some magical summers here, some important summers here,” said Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who played opposite Sosa in the majors. “He entertained people like one of the few people who ever did, in a Chicago Cubs uniform. That’s why it’s good that he’s back. It’s great that he’s here.”

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *